BIRSTWITH

Christmas Fayre: Birstwith Church invite you to a Christmas Fayre on Saturday, November 30 in the church hall from 10am-1pm. There will be gifts, crafts, decorations, cakes, Christmas preserves and produce, handcrafted and turned-wood toys, hand-made cards, bumper raffle (including hamper), tombola. Also mulled wine and mince pies, guess the weight of the cake, refreshments of tea, coffee, juice, bacon butties, sausage rolls, shortbread. In the church and vestries, lots of stalls for children including, toys, books and discs, junior tombola, games and activities, name the toy, mystery jars, penny slot machine, shove ha’penny etc. Father Christmas will be there, so look out for his grotto! Admission will be 50p adults, children free. Please come along and join us for some early seasonal cheer, everyone welcome. Enquiries please contact Louise on 01423 771585. Contributions to stalls would be much appreciated. There are boxes at the back of church to receive items beforehand. Cakes - Friday evening or Saturday morning from 9am. Stallholders will be: cakes and preserves etc Ann Harriss on 01423 770436; bumper raffle including hamper Ruth Bush on 01423 779968; adult tombola Louise Garnett on 01423 771585; books and discs Andrew Hovell on 01423 771290; toys Melanie James on 01423 772867; crafts and gifts Brenda Eastland on 01423 772481; wooden articles Norman Castle on 01423 772445, David Pollard on 01423 891154; Christmas decorations and seasonal arrangements Janet Mitchell on 01423 770412; junior Tombola and mystery jars Birstwith School.

We look forward to seeing you.

Village development: there was a meeting held in the church hall on Monday, November 18 at 7pm when the proposed development of West House Farm was discussed. Coun Alan Skidmore from planning and environment for Harrogate Council was there to explain the planning application currently being formulated for this area. Also present were District Councillor Christine Hill, parish council chairman Edward March, together with other council members and a gathering of village residents. A lively two hour meeting enabled views and observations to be aired regarding the recent history of proposals from Harrogate Council for additional dwellings in this area. If you have any concerns regarding this development or need more information please contact Edward March on 01423 770891.

Beginners Family History: this six week course will take place at Darley CCCC starting on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 from 9-11am. It is aimed at complete beginners or people who have already started to do a little research. The tutor is very experienced, the group will be small therefore there will be opportunities for individual support and help. The internet will be used in the research. Bring your own laptop or use those available at CCCC. The dates are flexible enabling the group to work with Lynn to determine breaks for holidays. For further information please call Lynn Wood on 01423 870610 or e-mail wood.l@tiscali.co.uk.

Dusty Miller Evenings: these Know How evenings will take place at Darley CCCC on Thursday, January 16 and Thursday, February 20 at 7.45pm. They will be tasty cooking demonstration events. Brian Dennison is a local Michelin chef who has kindly agreed to lead these evenings where he will show us simple ideas to create amazing food to serve to friends and family. For further information please telephone Margaret Clapperton on 01423 780921.